On 4th March 2024 a service of Thanksgiving to mark 200 years of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) was held at Westminster Abbey.
The charity’s President, the Duke of Kent, was joined in the Abbey by an 1,800-strong congregation including representatives from RNLI lifesaving communities around the UK and Ireland. The service took place at the same time the RNLI founding papers were created 200 years ago.
Since being founded in 1824 the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives. In the service the charity commemorated its history, reflected on the lifesaving service it provides today, and looked ahead to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters.
As a coastal village we all know the important role the RNLI plays – here are a few words from a former Minnis Bay (now Westbrook) resident whose husband and son both serve with the RNLI:
“My husband Keith Patrick, is one of the B-Class Atlantic 85 Helms at RNLI Margate lifeboat station – he has now been joined by our 18-year-old son Ollie. We moved from Minnis Bay to Westbrook just to be nearer the lifeboat station.
“Keith, who has been on the lifeboats for 13 years was recently invited to attend the Service of Celebration held at Westminster Abbey for the RNLI’s 200th anniversary. As part of the service, a scroll was presented by crew to the Dean of Westminster, where RNLI president HRH the Duke of Kent, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Chief Executive Mark Dowie signed it. Ollie, being the youngest member of the lifeboat crew was chosen to sign the scroll on behalf of RNLI Margate. On this scroll is the RNLI’s One Crew pledge, in which they promise their commitment to saving every one they can, without judgment – staying true to Sir William Hillary’s vision when he founded the charity in 1824.
“The scroll will travel through RNLI communities across the country during 2024, when it will end its journey in October 2024 in Douglas, Isle of Man, the former home of Sir William Hillary.
“I’m so proud to see my husband attending Westminster Abbey and my son signing the scroll on behalf of RNLI Margate, two historic moments all in the same week! To know that they both risk their lives voluntarily, to save everyone they can, without judgment or being paid, makes me incredibly proud.
“On a recent lifeboat shout in the middle of the night, Ollie was on the D-Class ILB and Keith was helm on the B-Class Atlantic 85. I must admit, I did struggle to sleep all the time they were both out! But I know that they are in good hands and their training is second to none.”